Hundreds of anti-SOGI protestors disrupt Abbotsford school board meeting
An Abbotsford school board meeting was forced to end early Tuesday evening after hundreds of protestors showed up to oppose the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in schools.
Video posted to social media shows protestors confronting school board trustees, chanting “Leave our kids alone!”
Cst. Art Stele, a media relations officer with the Abbotsford Police Department, told CTV News he estimated there were around 300 people at the protest, and that no arrests were made.
Trustees had to be escorted out of the premises by police only 30 minutes into the meeting, according to the Abbotsford School District.
In a statement to CTV News, the Abbotsford School District said, “disruptions arose that significantly impacted business proceedings,” and that under the guidance of the AbbyPD, trustees adjourned the public board meeting, “due to potential safety concerns.”
Stephanie Wilson, an activist focusing on far-right extremism, said Abbotsford has been a hot-spot for anti-SOGI protests, but that she was shocked by Tuesday’s turnout.
“There have been protests at other school board meetings but not to that extent,” Wilson said. “This was something I was not expecting to see at a school board meeting.”
SOGI helps provide educators with resources to create an inclusive education. According to the SOGI 123 website, there is no “SOGI curriculum.”
An Abbotsford school board trustee who asked CTV News not to use their name, said SOGI was not on Tuesday’s meeting agenda.
‘IT’S PRETTY SCARY’
Abbotsford is one of many school districts having to deal with a wave of protests against SOGI. In February, the Mission School District banned Action4Canada, an anti-LGBTQ2S+ group from presenting at its meetings, after an inappropriate slideshow.
Shelley Carter, the board chair with Mission Public Schools said RCMP have attended previous school board meetings for safety reasons.
“It’s pretty scary,” she said. “I feel for my fellow trustees."
Mariel Cooksey, the executive director with the Canadian Institute for Far-Right Studies, said she expects the protests to continue to grow.
“I live in Victoria and the sudden uptick in anti-LGBTQIA+ activity here is pretty disturbing," Cooksey said in an email to CTV News.
Just last week, protests erupted across the country regarding the educational program.
Organizers of the so-called "1MillionMarch4Children," described themselves as marching "to protect our children from indoctrination and sexualization."
In a statement to CTV News, Rachna Singh, the Minister of Education and Child Care, said she was saddened by the protests in Abbotsford.
“All students deserve to feel safe and welcome in school,” she said. “The protests have made it clear that misinformation continues to spread and is being used to hurt students.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.